A completely overcast sky gradually cleared by late afternoon, and the raptors responded at Cromwell Valley on Friday the 18th.  A slow flight was observed until just after 4:00PM when the clear sky brought forth numerous small kettles of Broad-winged Hawks and a nice mix of 7 other raptor species.  My 4 co-observers had left a little too early after spending several hours with only a hand full of hawks to show for it.  I was left on my own to count all those BWs!!  Sorry guys.  The largest kettle was 70 BWs.  This weekend the weather forecast looks good, and we will be out again at Cromwell Valley, scanning the skies and looking, hoping, dreaming..... 

CROMWELL VALLEY PARK HawkWatch  -  Friday, 9/18/09 - 10:30AM to 6:30PM

Broad-wings - 304

Osprey - 25

Sharpies - 22

Coops - 2

N. Harrier - 1

Am. Kestrel - 3

Peregrine - 1

Jim Meyers
Parkville MD.

B. Eagle - 5